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WELCOME TO COLIN CAMPBELL'S GARDEN

Hi folks and welcome to Colin Campbell's Garden. This website is dedicated to those gardeners who would like to learn more about the all consuming hobby of gardening. I'll tell you things you should be doing in the respective seasons, bearing in mind that because I live and garden in a subtropical climate the tasks I outline will naturally have that warm climate influence. Those gardeners in cooler climates will still glean valuable information though.
Gardeners love to travel, and so do Bev and I. With that in mind I'll show you some of the great gardens and places around Australia and the world that we've been fortunate enough to visit. I'll also tell you about any upcoming tours so head straight for the Gardener's Getaway section.
 
ITEMS OF INTEREST
 
TOURS  
Our tour to western Queensland is now completely filled so if you were hoping to come on it I'm afraid you've left your run a bit too late. Next year we are taking another tour though, this time across the top of the Simpson Desert to Alice Springs. After seeing the sights and gardens around Alice Springs and Uluru we're joining the Ghan train to Adelaide and then returning home from there.
 
We have agreed to host a tour in 2012 for garden tour specialist Botanica Tours which will take us to Holland to visit Floriade then we cruise on one of APT's fabulous river boats from Amsterdam to Switzerland visiting gardens and tourist destinations on the way. Having done of these river cruises I can thoroughly recommend this tour.  Go to the Gardener's Getaway page for more details.
 
THE BOOK - GARDEN TALK
 
The book, "Garden Talk" has received a great response, so great in fact that the publisher had to order a second printing just over a month after the launch. It has had excellent reviews by all my gardening media colleagues right around Australia.
 
Anyone interested in getting a signed copy of Garden Talk can still do so by sending a cheque or money order, made out to Colin Campbell Horticulture Pty Ltd and posting it to the office address which is P.O.Box 513, Maleny, Q4552.
 
The cost, $29.95 includes postage and handing.
 
Please let me know the name of the person you want me to make it "To" and if you have a special message you would like me to include let me know that as well. If there is no special message I will simply write ' Best wishes and happy gardening".
 
I would point out that this isn't a coffee table book filled with pretty pictures,  it is a compendium of many of the answers that I have given in response to questions posed in more than a quarter of a century on 4BC radio in Brisbane. No matter where you live I am sure that you too will have been lookng for answers to a number of the queries dealt with in Garden Talk.
 
RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL IN NZ.
 
The Taranaki Region in New Zealand's North Island has been recognised as being home to some of the best Rhodendrons in the country, if not the world. For the past twenty odd years the Taranaki Rhodendron Festival has not only highlighted these beautiful plants it has also showcased some of the  most beautiful gardens in the area. Having seen photos of the gardens in this years festival I am convinced that it will be well worth seeing.
 
Bev and I are heading across to see it this year and I would suggest that if you are looking for something a little different you should also consider going to New Plymouth. The Festival starts on 29th October and ends on 7th November.
 
As accommodation is usually at a premium I would recommend that early bookings be made. To find out more about the festival visit www.rhodo.co.nz
 
There are also guided tours available and details of these can be found on www.kiwitours.co.nz
 
I would hasten to add that this time we are not hosting a tour to New Plymouth, ours is just a private visit, but you never know we might run into each other though and if we do, don't forget to say g'day.
ANOTHER PORTRAIT
 
Below is a copy of the painting which Samford artist Janet Skinner unsuccessfully entered in the Archibald Prize.  Even though it didn't win I think it's really good and it now proudly hangs in our living room. If you want to see more of Janet's work go to her website,www.artoutabout.com.au. Here is he painting:
 
 
 
Since then I have had yet another portrait done this time by Mt Tamborine artist Peter J Hill. Each year Mt Tamborine holds a Scarecrow Festival and with some encouragement from a mutual friend, Neale Stuart, Peter painted me in scarecrow mode.
 
 
I leave you to judge whether this is a true representation of me or not.
 
 
 

PROFILE

The following are my credentials
  • Gained Diploma in Horticulture at Canterbury University College, Lincoln. N.Z.
  • Gained Certificate of Journalism at Christchurch Technical Institute, N.Z.
  • Was instrumental in the formation and Founding President of Queensland State Council, Australian Institute of Horticulture.
  • In 1994 was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Horticulture.
  • Was instrumental in the formation of the Horticultural Media Association in Australia and have been Queensland President for two terms.
  • Served for a number of years on the Board of Directors, Nursery and Garden Industry Association Qld
  • In 1991 and 2002 received Nursery and Garden Industry Association Certificate of Recognition for service to the Nursery Industry.
  • In December 1997 proposed the creation of a world class garden in the disused Roma Street Railway Yards. This resulted in the establishment of the Roma Street Parklands.
  • In 2004 received the prestigious Minister for Primary Industries Award for Continued Outstanding Service to an Industry Sector.
  • In October 2006 received a Meritorious Achievement Award for outstanding service and support to the Queensland Nursery Industry over many years. This is the first time this award has been made and is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a non member of the Queensland Nursery and Garden Industry.
  • In November 2006 was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Landscape Queensland Inc, formerly Queensland Association of Landscape Industries.
  • On Australia Day 2007 I was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to horticulture, particularly as a contributor to a range of gardening related television and radio programmes and publications.
  • In November 2008 was made the Queensland Industry Person of the Year by the Australian Institute of Horticulture ( Qld Chapter)
  • In October 2009 was inducted into the Horticultural Media Association Australia Hall of Fame and received the Gold Laurel
  • In November 2009 was awarded the Nursery and Garden Industry, Queensland, Nursery Person of The Year in recognition of outstanding service to the Queensland Nursery Industry. This is the first time that this prestigious award has been made to a person not directly involved in a nursery business.
  • Appointed as an Australia Day Ambassador and Ambassador for the Brisbane City Lord Mayor's Australia Day Awards 2008
  • Conduct the Radio 4BC "Talk Gardening" programme which I have done for more than twenty five years.
  • Presented radio segments on Radio 4KQ Brisbane and Radio 4SS Nambour for two years.
  • Presented gardening segments on TV Channel O (now 10) for four years.
  • Presented gardening segments on TV Channel 9 for one year.
  • The original and still a Queensland presenter on ABC TV Gardening Australia since its inception.
  • Write monthly for Gardening Australia Magazine.
  • Have written the Brisbane Courier Mail gardening column since January 1991.
  • An hibiscus, daylily,cordyline and clivia has been named Colin Campbell in my honour.
  • Have conducted training workshops both in Australia and in New Zealand.
  • Am Patron of the Hibiscus Society of Queensland, the Queensland Herb Society, the Brisbane Daylily Society, the International Tropical Foliage and Garden Society, the Buderim Garden Club,The International Cordyline Society and an Honorary Member of the Maleny Garden Club and the Royal Horticultural Society (Qld).
  • Have been a nominee for Queenslander of the Year, Australian of the Year and one of Queensland's Greats.
  • Present recorded gardening segments every weekday on Radio 4BH Brisbane.


PRODUCT DISCLAIMER

It is not the intention of this website to promote products for financial gain, however should a product be featured it will be because I believe that it will do a particular job as well, or better, than any other on the market. This information will be provided purely to assist the gardener and must never be used as an endorsement.


GARDENING ADVICE

Unfortunately due to constraints of time I am unable to answer individual gardener's queries sent to the website. If you have a gardening problem you should phone "Talking Gardening" on Radio 4BC, 1116 on the AM dial. I am on every Saturday and Sunday morning from 7.00 to 10.00. Gardeners outside the broadcast area can listen on the internet at www.4bc.com.au and can email queries to gardening@4bc.com.au. In my regular column in Friday's edition of the Courier Mail newspaper, and in my daily segments on Radio 4BH, I write and talk about topical gardening issues so you may find the answers to your queries there.  Another alternative is to check out my personal appearances on the Events page and talk to me at one of those.